Pottstown Development News
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Development News from the latest meeting
Residential Rental Program Ordinance Amended to Clarify Inspections and Penalties
The council moved to adopt an ordinance amendment that revises sections of Chapter 5 (Code Enforcement) and Chapter 11 (Housing) of the Borough's Code of Ordinances related to the residential rental program. The ordinance clarifies that the penalty for not obtaining a rental inspection is the denial or non-renewal of a rental license. It establishes a clear appeal process for license denials to the Construction Board of Appeals. Additionally, it introduces a third-party inspector option for landlords and tenants concerned about municipal inspectors. The ordinance is set for a soft rollout starting September 1st, with hard enforcement anticipated around January 1st.
Citizen Accuses Mayor of Misusing Public Office; Mayor Defends Reporting Practices
A citizen, Jessica Grader, raised concerns about the Mayor's public statement on May 11th, 2026, where she allegedly endorsed a specific law firm. Grader stated this created the appearance of using public office for private promotion, undermining public trust. She also alleged that the Mayor threatened her with reading private text messages at a subsequent meeting if she continued to pursue clarification. Grader requested the Council address this through public process, not private threats or back-channel pressure, referencing potential violations of Pennsylvania criminal statutes and the Public Official and Employee Ethics Act. Another citizen, Joe, later stated that the Mayor had issued an apology and clarification after the initial statement, effectively resolving the issue for him. Councilmember Kirkland declared a conflict of interest regarding the matter and stated he would not participate in discussions. Mayor Henrik responded to the criticism by defending her reports, stating they have always been in compliance with established practices and that discussions regarding safety and police matters should occur in the safety committee meetings, which have seen low citizen participation.
Council Approves Land Development with Denial of Two Waivers
The council considered a land development application from Apostolistic Faith Housing for a property at 658 Jefferson Avenue. The proposal involves subdividing the property into two lots and constructing two attached single-family dwellings (twins) with associated improvements. The applicant requested six waivers from the subdivision land development ordinance and the stormwater management ordinance. The recommendation from staff was to deny waivers for open space and street trees, but grant the other four waivers, along with preliminary and final approval for the project. This recommendation was based on historical council practice of accepting fees in lieu of waiving these requirements. The council discussed the waivers, with one member expressing support for denying the open space and street tree waivers.
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The Pottstown News archive
PSD Board Meeting 6/18/26
PSD Board: Facilities/Finance Committee Meeting 6/11/26
PSD Policy/Personnel & Curriculum Committee Meeting 6/4/26
Committee of the Whole In-Person & Virtual Meeting June 3rd, 2026
PSD School Board Meeting 5/21/26
Council In-Person & Virtual Meeting - May 11, 2026
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